Michael Jacobs determined Derby County will avoid repeat of horror show

MICHAEL Jacobs is hoping Derby County can avoid becoming the victim of another cup upset when Tranmere Rovers come to Pride Park Stadium this weekend.

Jacobs made his Rams debut as Nigel Clough's men began this season with a Capital One Cup home tie against Scunthorpe United.

Derby twice led by three-goal margins against the League One side and were 5-3 up going into stoppage time at the end of the 90 minutes.

But two late goals from the visitors sent the game into extra-time and the Rams eventually lost 7-6 in a penalty shoot-out.

Jacobs set up the first four Derby goals but also conceded the last-gasp penalty that allowed Scunthorpe to make it 5-5.

It was a baptism of fire for the summer signing from Northampton Town and the winger is determined not to be on the wrong end of a similar outcome in tomorrow's FA Cup third round tie against Tranmere.

"Hopefully, we can avoid a repeat of the Scunthorpe match at the start of the season," said Jacobs.

"We don't want another 5-5. I'd take a nice 1-0 win all day long!

"We can't afford to take anyone lightly. Even if we were up against the team bottom of League Two, it would still be a test.

"Hopefully, we can keep our consistency up and produce another good home performance."

Tranmere are currently top of the League One table – three points clear of nearest challengers Sheffield United.

"In the last few years, Tranmere have been one of those teams who have hung around the relegation places without coming down to League Two, so I didn't play them when I was at Northampton," said Jacobs, who scored the opener in the 3-1 home win over Middlesbrough on New Year's Day.

"But, obviously, they are flying high at the top of the league at the moment, so they will come here full of confidence and thinking they can cause an upset.

"But our home form is good and if we can produce a performance like we did against Middlesbrough, there's no reason we can't go through."

Tranmere warmed up for their trip to Pride Park with a 1-0 victory away to Bury.

Experienced winger Andy Robinson, formerly of Swansea City and Leeds United, netted the only goal of the game.

"I know about Andy Robinson," said Jacobs. "He's been around for a while now but is a good winger and good from set-pieces.

"He has dropped down a level but still produces on a consistent basis."

Jacobs, who was part of the Northampton side that knocked Liverpool out of the League Cup at Anfield in September 2010, is hoping for a decent run in the FA Cup this season.

"I've got a bit of form in the League Cup but nothing to speak of in the FA Cup," added the 21-year-old.

"It would be nice to get a little cup run going and maybe get a big draw, either home or away, in the next round.